Contact details

Description

Busy Hands was originally set up 6 years ago by mother and daughter team, Louise and June. It is now run by Andrea and a team of volunteers from the church. Andrea is a qualified NNEB nursery nurse and a higher level teaching assistant, and has worked with children for the past 16 years. We offer a happy environment for babies and young children to explore through music, play and craft. However we also understand the importance of the group for parents being able to come and be sociable and make new friends, especially first time moms. We offer a wide range of toys to suit all ages, a baby area and an outdoor area.We have a break for a healthy snack including fruit, toast and a cuppa for moms and dads.We end our sessions with singing, where the children and adults (if they want!) can play musical instruments.Please pop along to one of our sessions!

Runs on: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays

Other Information

We are open Monday mornings 10:00-11:30am and afternoons 1:00-2:30pm, Tuesday mornings 9:45am-11:15am and Friday mornings 10:00-11:30am. We are mainly term time only but we do operate some sessions during school holidays. Please feel free to enquire. We cater for all age ranges of children from newborn as our group is run as much for parents as it is for the children.Fees start from £1.00 for under 12months, 12-24months £2.00, 2 years+ £3.00 Reduced rates for 2 or more children. All refreshments included in fees. Our fees are paid per session, we do not ask for money in advance and you only pay for the sessions you attend.All children are welcome from 0-4 years. Your first session is free of charge, so come along and see what you think!! For more information please contact Andrea at busyhandsgroup@hotmail.comGreat News we are now open to new starters again on a Monday and Tuesday.Unfortunately we are unable to take new children on a Friday due to high numbers.

We advise that you ring before planning a visit to check all these details are up to date.

I've been going to Busy Hands since June and Harvey set it up. I took my son who is now 6 and now I take my 2 year old daughter. Both my children love the group as it caters well for both boys and girls. Always loads of toys out, they have a lovely outside area if the weather is nice and a craft table that is always well thought out and achievable for little people to do with a bit of help! I enjoy going and talking to other mums, it has been a real life line for me at times and it is not cliquey as other groups sometimes can be. I've had my kids through a tantrum or two and have never felt judged by others in the room and have in fact valued the advice and support from people there.Andrea is fab and has a great team of people supporting her. They are very friendly and approachable and obviously have experience & up to date knowledge of working with children and young people. All the toys and equipment is very clean and they have created a safe and trusted environment.My children have enjoyed this play group more than anything else I have taken them too. And it's a bargain at £3 a child! You can't even get a coffee for that. Always a friendly and enjoyable session. I don't normally give reviews but with so many other services closing and with children's centres offering less and less I wanted to support the group that has been a constant for my family for 6 years! Love it.

Great group! Good value for money!I have been attending the group for the last 18 months. And would recommend the group to new moms and moms of toddlers. There are a number of different stations around the room that change every week keeping the children engaged. The different stations provide a variety of activities meaning there is something for everyone and with a toddlers short attention span they can move around and not get bored. There is a great outdoor space that is used in the nicer weather that has a climbing frame, slide and several ride on cars. All of the toys are clean and well maintained. Snack time is freshly prepared and there is always plenty. I've never known it to be cliquey and always felt welcome by all the parents especially Andrea and her team. Andrea always makes time to chat to both me and Noah and find out how we are. I can't recommend this group enough. I'm more than happy to spend £3 for my son to have fun, explore, learn and play with his friends in a safe, clean and friendly environment. He always leaves full and shattered

I've been attending Busy Hands since my eldest child was 5 weeks old. I now attend with a toddler and a baby. Lovely playgroup with a safe area for babies to lie/crawl, leaving lots of room for toddlers to play. Super role-playing toys, books and an indoor climbing frame. Toys are changed each week, so there's plenty for children to keep entertained. There's also a lovely little craft area, along with an outside space for the children to play with sand, slides and cars. Children love the snacks and parents/carers love the hot drinks!

Andrea is just the loveliest and has a wonderful team of helpers, all very friendly and approachable. Great playgroup - highly recommended. We've tried a fair few playgroups over the past couple of years and this is definitely one of our favourites :-)

Hi , what more can I say than this group is brilliant ! Such a friendly atmosphere , a huge variety in toys , lovely craft area etc. Andrea and all the staff there are really helpful and work hard to keep the place running for all our children to play and have fun :-) I would recommend this group to anyone ! Xxx

I have been attending this group for the last 18 months, with my 2 year old daughter and my 9month old son. Busy hands has a wonderful atmosphere and a wide range of toys and activities for both toddlers and babies. Andrea is very welcoming and has a great way with children. The outside area is lovely in dry weather with slides and cars/ride ons. Snacks are very generous. Cost of group is extremely reasonable for craft and snacks. I would and do recommend to any moms/dads/grandparents.

I've been taking my daughter Beatrix for a while now. I have attended free groups that are council funded but this is by far the best private one I've attended and so reasonably priced for an hour & a half, the mums get tea or coffee. The children get juice & a varied buffet including fresh fruit. There are loads of toys and a lovely out side space. The atmosphere is great (family feel) and the sing along songs at the end are great with plenty of instruments. I can't say enough praises for the place and my daughter loves it and has made lots of friends there. Top marks Busy Hands.

I've been attending busy hands for around 2 and a half years now. When my daughter was younger I found the group enjoyable and friendly. There was lots of things for her to do and the snack and song time was good although more variety of songs would have been nice. However now she is older there isn't so much for her or much of a range of activities from week to week. There is a lovely variety of small world toys (dinosaurs, market stall, cars, kitchen, peppa pig, dolls house etc) if your child is into those things. The craft on the other hand is very basic and it's a shame not much thought is put into it as the older ones would enjoy more of a variety and something a little more exciting and imaginative. I also think the price is quite high when taking more than one child. I've been to a wide range of playgroups and never ever come across one that charges so much! Just to give a comparison of what else is out there - I attend a completely free playgroup that has out week in week out a huge variety of activities that suits the younger baby as well as the preschooler; an enjoyable craft (but obviously more messy than at busy hands!), playdough, sandpit, painting easel, ride ons/cars, slide/climbing frame, dressing up, dolls house, dolls/prams/cots etc, farm animal or dinosaurs, baby area, cars/garages, jigsaws, drawing/colouring/stencils, threading/fuzzy felt, book area and in the dry weather an outdoor area. Also tea/coffe/drinks and biscuits!I think busy hands could improve by having a wider type of activity as listed above.

We LOVE Busy Hands, Andrea is always so welcoming & we felt very comfortable with all the children & Moms/Guardians the first & every time after. We go as often as possible to help Sam socialise, play & interact with other children & adults.We have been attending since Sam was 8mths and will be till we get chucked out hehe ;-)

If your choosing somewhere for your little one to go I can deffinatly recommend Busy Hands, as I have done to all the parents I know in my social group.

I've been taking my daughter since she was 6 months old there was so many toys to play with she didn't know which one to choone June and Harvey did a brilliant job running the place I still take my daughter now she is 3 she loves playing with the kitchen doing various creative activities that are on offer snack time is great various different fruit biscuits and toast on offer aswell as coffee and tea for mum and dads or grandparents Andrea is a very welcoming lady and easy to get on with the parents are friendly to approach I've made quite a few friends over the past 3 years well worth the money Andrea and the team are doing a great job xx

I've been taking my (now 3 year old) little boy to this group for nearly two years. It provides a fun and safe environment for children to play and the staff are very friendly and welcoming. There is a good range of snacks including fruit, toast, cake and biscuits. It's a very relaxed environment but since being taken over many of the 'regular' people have stopped going to the session we attend. It now feels incredibly cliquey and I can go some days without really talking to another parent. For this reason I don't go as often now. The price has increased since the new year but I don't really feel I get as much value for money now. It's worth a visit if you are looking for somewhere new but shop around as there are cheaper places that offer the same thing!

I have been coming to Busy Hands with my 1 year old daughter and 2 year old niece since September and it's one of the best groups I've been to. My two love the big range of toys, such as rocking horses, the little slide and the role play area. They also love the outdoor area when weather permits! They love dressing up in the costumes too and there is always a different art activity for them to do. Snack time is really good with lots for the children to choose from and a hot drink for the parents is much appreciated! The singing and musical instruments at the end is always lots of fun too. Keep up the good work Andrea and your lovely team :-) x

Lovely toddlers group attended on a number of occassions. Very friendly staff and mummies too. Lots of space for kids to explore actvities including arts and crafts and outdoor play.. Well organised snack time too with coffee and tea for mums which is most appreciated. Plus the snacks are always healthy and plenty of choice too. My daughter especially enjiyed the lovely singing at the end of the session and the plenty of different activities to choose from. I would also like to add the facilities are clean and well cared for too.

We have had a very happy 2 years with Busy Hands, and will miss June & Harvey when we leave at Christmas. I have made a good friend through visiting the group and my little man has loved every minute of his time there, playing with the vast amount of toys, and enjoying eating all the snacks! Always made to feel so welcome, I would definitely recommend!!

can't recommend this toddler group highly enough. I started coming to busy hands when I was a new mum who had just moved to the area over 3 years ago with my eldest daughter. She absolutely loved it and made some lovely friends there (so have I). Now she's at school, I take my 15 month old son, who loves it just as much. June and Harvey are fantastic, as are the snacks, facilities, activities and toys.Lots going on and they throw a great xmas party, as well as organising xmas trips etc. Such a friendly group. would recommend to anybody.

What a lovely toddler group, sometimes it can be quite intimidating to walk into a new group, not this one though from the moment I walked in I was greeted by everyone and made to feel at home. There is lots for the children to play with and a great outside area too. They have a lovely snack time and some nice cakes too! I enjoyed the singing probable more than the children. Im definitely going to be a regular there now. Thank you for the lovely welcome guys. Jenny and Beth x

I have been attending Busy Hands with my two daughters for two and a half years now. My daughters love going there as it's a friendly group with lots of different activities, an outside play area and sing songs to finish the sessions. Long may the group continue to be successful, thanks to June and her family.

Have been bringing my granddaughter to Busy Hands for over a year now. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming. Activities and games vary each week and my granddaughter really loves it. Different trips / outings are arranged through the year and the high light being the excellent Christmas Party.Would definitely recommend it to all parents and grandparents.

We love this toddler group, June & Harvey are great. They quite happily play the wheels on the bus every Monday at my little one's request. The whole group is friendly and the group has a nice feel about it. We've been visiting for about 18 months now and is far the best group we've been too. We even met another couple with a little boy too and went on holiday together.

A fab group, run by a lovely family. I started taking my eldest daughter when she was 2 and a half and my youngest who is now 3 has been attending since birth. She has always been a clingy child and so in the early days it was a chance to get out but now she asks to go and will go and play without me having to follow her. It has really helped bring her out of her shell. Kids get a decent snack and mums (and dads) get a cuppa and a piece of homemade cake. In fact my eldest gets really excited when she has an inset day as she gets to come along too! I can't imagine not being able to go to toddlers as my girls get older.

I started taking my daughter to Busy Hands around 3 months ago. She is now 10 months and loves going. There are so many toys for her to choose from in the baby section that she never gets bored. For older children there is a wide variety of activities offered that are rotated each week. She will love these as she gets a little older. Snack time, followed by singing is a lovely way to end the session and the fact that children and moms get a drink is really nice. I don't usually like attending groups like this as I feel that there are cliques and people get left out. It is NOT the case here...everyone is made to feel welcome. A really nice group.

I love busy hands. It is such a friendly environment. It is well set up for babys and toddlers of all ages. There are lots of toys for all ages, wich the rotate. There is dress up, painting and an outside play area. Snack time is great, with a nice choice of snacks inculding fruit and a nice cuppa for us grownups! My 3 1/2 month old loves the sing along at the end of each group. the use simple rhymes and songs. He loves the actions that go with the songs. I have noticed a differnce in my little boy since we started going to this group. I think the good thought that goes in to this group helps with the little ones development. My little boy is always so happy and catty when we come home. i would highly recoment this group to any one.

My little boy and I LOVE busy hands! We have made some fantastic friends here and look forward to comming every week... So much so that we now attend every available session!!! Louise, June, Harvey and Sally are lovely and so welcoming and friendly, how they remember all the childrens names is amazing!!The choice of toys is brilliant and how they are rotated weekly so theres always a different range of things for the children to play with. Crafts are always great too, my little boy always looks forward to making pictures! The choice of healthy snack is great and seems to be very much enjoyed by all children and parents get a lovely cuppa too!I would definatly recommend Busy Hands to any parent.

Busy hands is brilliant! I've been going with my daughter since she was 5 weeks old and she is now nearly 5 months. I needed to get out of the house to meet other mums as none of my close friends have babies yet and from my first visit everyone was really friendly. The staff are brilliant too, on many occasions you can be feeding your baby when it's snack time and they will always come over and ask if you would like a drink. If your thinking of joining a group come to this one! We just to need get them on Facebook so we can recommend to everyone as I'm always seeing people asking if they know of any groups in the area.

Busy hands is fantastic. I cannot praise them highly enough. I've tried loads of playgroups, but no where have we been made to feel so welcome and made so many friends. Its also the cleanest we have been to and has a huge variety of toys that are rotated so they can play with different things each week. I have a two year old, and a 6 month old too and weve been coming over a year and they love it. The baby area is great, and my eldest loves it outside. They also have crafts every week, and snacks and singing. Everyone is so helpful and always make sure Mom gets a cuppa too if you have your hands too full too fetch your own (as I often do). Its a lovely group whichever day you come and I would recommend anyone try it .

I have been coming to this group every week since my daughter was 4 months old, and she is now 20 months. We both really look forward to it every week and it provides a great chance for us to play together and with other children. The structure is great - playtime, snacktime and then singing. I am expecting my seconnd child now and will definitely be coming with my new baby too!

I have been attending this group for almost a year with my son who is now one year old. as a new mom i wasnt sure where to go to meet friendly faces, so my manager at work had a look on netmums and told me to try Busy Hands which is quite local to me. Im glad I did, as i found it to be very friendly and welcoming, there is always a lovely atmosphere. I am now familiar with most of the moms that go and its nice to go and have a chat. we have a play time and then there are drinks and snacks for the little ones and tea and coffee for us, not forgetting Harveys yummy cake. at the end we sing nursery rhymes, overall its a lovely group. June who runs it is lovely and always welcomes new faces.

Ive been coming to Busy hands for a few weeks now & my 14 month old son loves it. Everyone is really friendly, there are loads of toys to play with & a great outdoor area when the weather is nice! The snacks are great especially the lemon cake! The session ends with singing which my son really enjoys. Great value too so would definately recommend.

My little girl and I have been attending the Wednesday morning group for over a year now, we were new to the area and didn't know anyone. June and team were so welcoming and friendly that straight away we felt included in the group. Very quickly both my little girl and I made friends, we enjoy the craft table every week, the lovely outside play area is wonderful in the dry weather and we look forward to going every week. We love the singing at the end too. Highly recommended it's a wonderful group!

My son adores going to this play group. Theres a huge choice of toys to keep him occupied,from cars to blocks to a great play area outside. Everyone is very friendly and June has an amazing memory for everyones names! all toys are in great condition, and if they need batteries they work too. Snack time is a lovely time with all sitting down together to share fruit, cake (yum) and toast. I travel from Birmingham to this group as it is the best I have found.

I moved to the area when 7 months pregnant, and being a stay at home Mum, Busy Hands offered me the chance to get out of the house with my daughter and meet other Mums and children. We have been attending Busy Hands for over 2 1/2 years now and I can't recommend it highly enough! June and Louise are fantastic, they really care about the group and everyone who attends, and give a lot of their time to make it a successful group. Sally is lovely and keeps the kids and adults fuelled with great snacks and the best cup of tea in the west Mids. There are plenty of toys for all age groups, a different craft theme each week, lots of books and song time. Trips are organised twice a year and the Christmas parties are fantastic. I have made some really good friends here. If you are considering coming to the group, I would definitely say give it a try. Everyone is warm and friendly. And Harvey's homemade cake is delicious.

A really friendly and welcoming group. There are lots of nice toys for the children to play with and the session finished nicely with a sing song. I especially liked snack time as mums get tea and cake whilst the children get a snack! Excellent value. I will definately be going back.

Such a lovely friendly atmosphere. I went today with my one year old. i was made to feel welcome and was chatted to by a lovely girl who was on her placement from college there. June was welcoming and my little man enjoyed eating all the toast and playing in the sand!!I will definatley be going back!

Started to visit Busy Hands with my 12 month old daughter a few weeks ago after searching for one that ran on a Friday. It can be daunting trying out a new group when you don't know anyone, but Busy Hands has a very welcoming, friendly atmosphere and we felt right at home straight away. My daughter loves playing with all the toys - its well thought out, with a mix of activities for the different age groups, and the toys are rotated each week to save anyone getting bored! Also generous amounts of food served at snack time - including fruit, biscuits, juice and tea. Attending makes me feel like I have spent some quality time with my daughter and I would definately recommend the group to others.

I took my 7 week old daughter to this group for the first time this morning and was so impressed that I will definately be making it a regular thing! As my daughter spends most of the time sleeping or eating at the moment the group at the moment is more just to get me out of the house and it is ideal as it is just down the road!! I was a little aprehensive about joining a group as a first time mum these things can be quite intimidating but I needent have worried as the two ladies running the club are amazing as are all of the mums who attend! Lots of toys for the kids to play with, there is also refreshment time with toast,fruit and cakes etc for the little ones as well as a nice cuppa for mums and dads!! I can't recommend this group enough and I look forward to many more sessions at the group!

I've been taking my 22 month old daughter to this playgroup for nearly a year and i can't recommend highly enough. June and louise who run it are fab, the playgroup has a lovely atmosphere and plenty of toys and crafts to keep the little ones happy. Snack time is always a favourite time for my little one and she is spolit for choice with plenty on offer, and mums and dads get a lovely cuppa too!

I am a registered childminder and have attended this setting for 2 years and find it brilliant - the children enjoy the wide varity of toys, games, snack time and music time - I have been childminding for 17 years and have attended many different settings in my time and this is certainly one of the best !

Busy hands is excellent!! run by a mom and dauhter who work very hard to keep children and parents happy. i have been taking my little girl for almost 2 years now and she loves it. there is always plenty to do, lots of new ideas and themes each week. snack time is lovely with a selection of healthy snacks avaliable plus moms and dads get a cuppa!! bonus!

i have been going to this group for a while now i take my nearly 4 year old and my now 5 month old and would highly recommend it to anyone. the moms that go are all friendly and welcoming and june and lou who run it are fab. they put on mid morning or afternoon snacks which the kids love and us moms and a few dads have a cuppa and some fab homemade cake. theres a great selection of toys and always some sort of craft on for kids or the moms to enjoy. we all love going to busy hands would definatly recommend it

I have been taking my 15 month old son to this group since he was 6 months old, he absolutely adores attending this group and loves June and Louise who run it. There are plenty of toys and activities to choose from, keeping the children busy all session. There is a seperate baby section, which is quieter than the main room, excellent for smaller or more nervous children. Snack time is a favourite with all (including parents!) where a welcome cup of coffee or tea is offered (I've never been offered this at any other group we've attended) Singing at the close of the session is brilliant and everyone enjoys it. This is a very friendly group with a welcoming atmosphere from both parents and staff (who are very committed to the children) Often, there are college students gaining experience at this group, all I can say is, what an excellent place to learn the values that they will need to start off their career! A very friendly group, highly recommended to all.

I've been taking my 2 year old daughter and 3 month old son to this group for a few weeks now. The ladies who run it are lovely and very welcoming and the other mums are friendly too. My daughter loves going, there is a good selection of toys to play with and always a craft activity to do. The children have a snack half way through the session and then finish off with a singing session where the children can play musical instruments. I would definitely recommend this group to other mums and dads.

I've taken my 9 month old son twice so far and I think its lovely. The two ladies who run it are so friendly - they make you feel so welcome that you forget about being nervous or shy. The other mums here are lovely - so open and chatty - unlike some places where you can see the groups already formed against newcomers!

The variety of toys is wonderful and I'm enjoying watching my son think about what he is doing and how. He loves it.

I also love the fact that my son is offered the choice of a mid morning snack should he wish it - it shows that they care.

hi there, my name is stephanie and ive been to this toddler group quite a few times. i used to go about a year ago when my son was about 6 months old and he used to love it. I have recently started coming again with my mom and aaron who is now 19 months old. He`s doesnt attend nursery so he`s quite shy and not used to other children. the playgroup has let him interact with many other children and he loves to play. there are a big varity of toys and books to play with. Its a very clean playgroup and the two ladies that run in are very welcoming and friendly. i recommend this playgroup as ive been to a few and this is the best one ive been to.thanks steph xx

i have attended twice this week with my daughter and grandson who is 19months old he is quite a shy little boy but has really loved it, they are very friendly and made us welcome. The snacks are brilliant and all the kids love them, there are lovely toys and very clean, i really enjoyed myself, thank you Doreen

I've just been to this toddler group for the first time today (Busy hands) and it was brilliant! My shy daughter loved it. The people are very friendly, there are plenty of toys and its very clean. I will be going again very soon. Well recommended to everyone!!